Beginning Friday, the new Virtual Echelon Racing League will launch its Pro Series on the Virtual RGT cycling platform, November 13-15. The pro series will feature 23 days of racing, while the amateur racing series will feature 11 races. Both are omniums with a points system for both men and women.

The first pro event of the series is the RGT Cycling Real Roads Stage Race, which kicks off Friday with a circuit race on the course used for the 2019 6-12-24 hour time trial world championship in Borrego Springs, Southern California Saturday will feature the Patelberg circuit in Belgium, part of the Tour of Flanders, while Sunday's stage climbs the infamous Stelvio Pass in Italy. [Race times range from 50 to 105 minutes. To ensure fairness in racing and broadcasting, start times alternate between men and women each weekend.

On November 7, the Patelberg circuit was used to host the first of 11 rounds of the amateur series. The top 10 finishers in the men's and women's Cat 1 races were invited to compete in the pro race this weekend.

Echelon Racing Promotions and the US-registered Project Echelon national elite team are partnering with USA Cycling to host the Echelon Racing League Amateur Series.

"We are supporting this to benefit our members, teams, and races at a time when COVID is affecting all of our ability to conduct real life events. The Race League is not a direct revenue stream for USA Cycling, but rather a way to keep people involved in the sport," said Chuck Hodge, USA Cycling's Race and Event Chief.

"We've helped leverage some partnerships, and of course the league includes teams and races that we work with in real life. Of course the league involves teams and races that we collaborate with in real life."

The Pro Series includes the Tour of the Gila, Joe Martin Stage Race, Bucks County Classic, Armed Force Cycling Classic, Gateway Cup, Redlands Bicycle Classic, and other USA Cycling borrowed many of its stages from competitions held on the Pro Road Tour.

"The league is definitely a way to showcase the PRT races we participate in, and it will serve the same role for the teams and sponsors that participate," Hodge added.

All events will be held on RGT Cycling's virtual platform available on iPad, PC, Mac, and Apple TV.

The races will also be broadcast by ZMS Live Stream on the Echelon Racing League website, echelonracingleague.com, and on USA Cycling's social media channels.

The live stream will be produced by Brad Thorner and will feature interviews with riders and race promoters. He will also share race commentary with James Vickers of RGT Cycling.

"Professional and elite cycling is only as strong as its community and fan base. We want to help grow and foster a stronger community so that all stakeholders in cycling benefit," said Eric Hill, president and founder of the Echelon Racing League.

"We look forward to using the growing and innovative platform provided by esports and virtual racing to increase the visibility, scalability, and sustainability of cycling for all stakeholders. Cycling has a rich and enduring tradition and we want it to live on.

In addition to top amateurs receiving invitations to Pro Series events, Hill noted that the Tour of America's Dairyland Virtual Race will include a para-cycling category.